Following Baxter
on Goodreads (157)
What’s inside...
For fans of The Fourteenth Goldfish comes a heartwarming adventure starring eleven-year-old Jordie, a quirky professor, and a magical dog. Eleven-year-old Jordie Marie Wallace has been waiting forever for someone to move in next door, so she is thrilled when Professor Reese arrives. Professor Reese has a laboratory in her basement and an extraordinary dog named Baxter—who seems to understand everything Jordie says. Jordie and her younger brother, TJ, begin walking Baxter and helping Professor Reese in the lab. But being lab assistants ends up being more than Jordie and TJ bargained for and leads them to a secret neither of them expected: a teleporter in Professor Reese’s lab! When the professor goes missing, it’s up to Jordie and TJ to use their smarts and Baxter’s magical powers to find her. Will they be able to save Professor Reese before it’s too late? From Barbara Kerley comes a mysterious and heartwarming story filled with friendship, humor, and the wonders of science.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
256 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Baxter the robot learned from the adventure?
How do you feel about the way Baxter helped out other characters?
What would you have done if you were in Baxter’s situation?
How do you think the story would change if Baxter had made different decisions?
Why do you think friendship is important in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading styles to bring the characters and their emotions to life, making the discussion more relatable.
Ask your child to relate the problem-solving situations in the book to their own experiences.
Pause at key moments in the story to predict what might happen next, enhancing your child's engagement and anticipation.
Encourage your child to draw or act out their favorite scene, which can lead to deeper discussions about the themes.
Revisit the book's scenarios after a few days to see if your child has formed new insights or opinions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: In 'Following Baxter', the story explores the evolving friendship between a young girl and her peculiar robot dog, Baxter. Through their interactions, the narrative highlights the significance of companionship and mutual trust.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by valuing and nurturing their friendships, learning to trust and support their friends in various situations.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and the joy of discovery
Explanation: The protagonist's adventure with Baxter encourages exploring and learning about the world. Their journey is filled with curiosity-driven discoveries that make everyday a learning opportunity.
Real-World Application: Kids are inspired to explore their surroundings, ask questions, and seek answers, fostering a lifelong love for learning and discovery.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and caregiving
Explanation: Taking care of Baxter teaches the young girl responsibility. She learns to attend to Baxter’s needs and also the consequences of negligence.
Real-World Application: This story can help children understand the importance of responsibility by taking care of their own pets or helping around the home, developing a sense of duty and empathy.
Example Lesson: Dealing with unfamiliar situations
Explanation: As the girl encounters new scenarios and challenges with Baxter, she learns to navigate these with courage and open-mindedness.
Real-World Application: Children learn to face unfamiliar situations with a positive attitude and can adapt to changes or new environments in their life.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout the book, the girl and Baxter encounter various challenges that they need to solve together, enhancing her problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and creatively when faced with problems, boosting their ability to find effective solutions in everyday life.